Earth Mama Baby Angel, a brand I trust and used when my girls were babies, has a free herb eBook on their site. Make sure to check it out. It has great information in it.
On the Net: www.earthmamaangelbaby.com/herbs-for-breastfeeding-ebook

Just because snow days are nearly always synonymous with play days you can always get your kids prepped for school again by keeping learning fresh, even after a day of playing in the snow.

Here are a few tips courtesy of Sylvan.com to beat the winter blues.

1. Read. Yes, of course. Everyone has his or her favorite book, so read them to each other. It’s fun for the older kids to read their favorite childhood books to their younger siblings. Act out your favorite scenes for the enjoyment of everyone.

2. Tell stories. This is a great time to trot out the old family photo albums and tell stories of your happy memories. Grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, favorite friends and neighbors. Connect the kids to your past — and theirs.

3. Keep a snow journal. As a family, write a few sentences every day about the snow. What time did it start to fall? What did it look like on the trees? How did it affect the traffic on your street? Did you feed the birds? Does your dog like the snow? The cat? Write about sledding, snowman building, snowball battles, snow forts. Write how you felt when you learned there’d be no school. What friends will you miss for the days you’re away from the classroom?

4. Do some weather science. Measure the snow as it’s falling. Keep a log of the temperatures hourly. How long does it take for the snow to melt on the south side of the house? On the north side? How do those icicles form?

5. Play games as a family and, for some quiet time, as individuals. Some mind-engaging activities include board games, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, jigsaw puzzles, coloring, finger painting, water colors, scrapbooking.

6. Keep up the lessons. Check those spelling words — if there aren’t any from school, assign your own. Practice math facts. Read the next chapter in the social studies book.

7. Organize. Take this found-time to organize notebooks, planners, back packs, and study areas at home. Make sure everyone’s up-to-date on assignments that will be due when school starts again.

8. Try to keep up normal routines. Yes, the snow throws everything off, and that’s okay. It’s good to take a break (or have one thrust upon you) from time to time. But try to keep bedtimes, mealtimes, study times, and other important personal routines (medications, for example) as close to normal as possible. When you know schools will reopen again, start to get back into the swing of things right away.

9. Be a role model. Use your homebound time for catching up on some put-off tasks. Enlist the kids’ help in rearranging furniture, organizing closets and donating unused clothing to the homeless shelter. Talk about how warm and cozy you are — not everyone is as lucky.

10. Stay positive. Spring will arrive. Promise.

For resources and additional information, visit www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS.

On Thursday morning we docked at Castaway Cay, Disney’s own private island in the Bahamas. Here’s the view we saw when we woke up and stepped out on our verandah.

We couldn’t go ashore until 9:00 Thursday morning, so we ordered breakfast and had a wonderful cup of coffee.

Once on Castaway Cay, it really was paradise. Although I didn’t know the exact temperature, it had to be at least 80 degrees.

There were so many fun activities to partake in on Castaway Cay from bike riding and building sand castles to playing water games or simply relaxing.

They also fed us lunch on the island and because we’re a vegan family, our head server ordered a vegan lunch for us. We had Caribbean sautéed vegetables and tofu — delicious!

One of the great things about traveling on a press junket during the Christening of the Disney Dream is that there weren’t a lot of people on the island, but I can imagine how crowded it can become when the Dream will be at full capacity. The maiden voyage is next week.

One of the greatest things about going on the Disney Dream cruise was being with my entire family. We had a wonderful time!

Check out my blog tomorrow to discover why my husband and I felt extremely comfortable leaving our daughters at the Oceaneer’s Club and going to have fun of our own.

*Note: I want to thank my husband for taking photos during the trip. He knows me too well. If left up to me, we’d come back with 10 photos, one with my thumb in it.

Last week I was on board the Disney Dream as a part of the media to cover Disney’s newest cruise ship. I have so much to share about the ship that I can easily post something new every day this week and more than likely I will.

I took my entire family along with me on the Disney Dream because I really wanted to see how the cruise accommodates families. I cannot express to you the level of friendliness, attention to detail, and unparalleled service we experienced from the moment we embarked to the moment we debarked. Suffice it to say, the Disney Dream operated like a very well-oiled machine.

Right after we walked across the gangway, members of the Disney Dream crew waited for each guest, asked our names, announced us with a microphone and clapped us on board. Then a member of the crew took us aside and personally told us how to find our rooms and something to eat. I loved all of that!

Once on board we walked into their gorgeous Art Deco-inspired grand lobby located on Deck 3. I couldn’t believe how shiny and buffed the marble floors were.

The lobby also boasts commissioned art, a gorgeous chandelier and Admiral Donald Duck.

Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom With Verandah

Disney housed my husband, two daughters and me in their Deluxe Stateroom with Verandah. At 246 square feet including the verandah we had plenty of space to feel comfortable and well-accommodated. The Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom With Verandah easily and comfortably sleeps 3 or 4 people. With a queen bed, single sleeper sofa and upper berth pull-down bed, the room was perfect for our family.

The Disney Dream comfortably sleeps four.

Check out the details in the decor.

The Bathroom in Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom

One of the details I loved best in our stateroom was the split bathroom. One bathroom held a toilet, vanity, and sink.

The other bathroom housed a vanity, sink, and full tub and shower.

Come back tomorrow when I talk about the great day we had at Castaway Cay, Disney’s island in the Bahamas.

Photo Credits: Photo of Disney Dream Copyright: The Walt Disney World Company

*Note: I want to thank my husband for taking photos during the trip. He knows me too well. If left up to me, we’d come back with 10 photos, one with my thumb in it.

Be sure not to miss Destination Maternity’s up to 50% off fall sale: www.destinationmaternity.com/sale.asp

Free Shipping at Destination Maternity on orders over $100 use promo code: DMFS10. Valid Oct 7-11.

Also, there is an up to 30% off fall sale at Motherhood Maternity
http://www.motherhood.com/sale.asp

Free Shipping at Motherhood Maternity on orders over $75 use promo code: MHFS10. Valid Oct 7-11.

New Books for Expectant Moms from Meadowbrook Press:

The Official Lamaze Guide (2nd Edition)
This new edition has been updated to reflect the latest evidence-based research on pregnancy and childbirth. Since the first edition, childbirth in the U.S. has gotten riskier. The cesarean rate has continued to rise; now almost one third of women in the U.S. have a cesarean. There’s been a shocking rise in the maternal mortality rate. More babies are admitted to NICUs, and there’s been an alarming increase in incidences of postpartum depression and post traumatic stress disorder related to childbirth. BUY ONLINE (no affiliate link)

Guía sencilla para tener un bebé (Spanish Edition of The Simple Guide to Having a Baby)
This Spanish edition of The Simple Guide to Having a Baby is available at the same price as the English edition—a welcome change for healthcare organizations, hospitals, clinics, and childbirth educators who had been paying significantly more for an imported Spanish edition. BUY ONLINE (no affiliate link)

Miami-Dade residents as well as tourists can score dollar-saving coupons including “one adult free with one adult admission at The Miami Seaquarium and Jungle Island,”  “50%-off admission price at Miami-Dade Parks Eco-Adventures,” and “50%-off each admission at Monkey Jungle.” These special offers are only available at www.Everyonesakid.com

Participating attractions include:

1.      Coral Castle Museum
2.      Deering Estate at Cutler
3.      Dolphin Harbor at Miami Seaquarium
4.      Everglades Alligator Farm
5.      Fruit and Spice Park
6.      HistoryMiami
7.      Island Queen Cruises
8.      Jungle Island
9.      Miami Children’s Museum
10.  Miami-Dade Parks EcoAdventures
11.  Miami Science Museum
12.  Miami Seaquarium
13.  Miccosukee Indian Village
14.  Monkey Jungle
15.  Ocean Force Adventures
16.  Viscaya Musuem and Gardens
17.   Zoo Miami

On the Net: www.Everyonesakid.com

I am down here for the annual Blogalicious conference where I will be speaking about finding your tribe as a blogger. As a blogger since 2004 I know a little about finding and even creating your own tribe. Be sure to follow the #blogalicious10 hashtag on Twitter to see all the action, information, and blogging and social media tips.

While I’m here in Miami I am staying at the Trump International in Suny Isles, about 30 minutes frm South Beach! It is beyond fabulous. I love it.  Why? Because they believe in paying attetion to the details.  I travel a lot and I know it’s the little things that matter.

One of the best makeup buys I made this year was Chanel’s Iridescent eye shadow, or their Ombre D’eau. I have it in Cascade and it really makes your eyes pop and is so easy to apply.

I learned the application technique of adding a touch of light eyeshadow when I was in Santa Barbara with EA Sports last year. One of their professional makeup artists put a dab of white eyeshadow in the corners of my eyes. I loved the way it looked.

Find it on Chanel.com.

For Labor Day weekend we rented a Dodge caravan for our little mini-vacay and it was in a word — phenomenal! Seriously, we are thinking about buying a minivan now because of how spacious and comfortable it was.

This weekend, I was also really excited to hear about Dodge’s new 2011 Durango. According to Dodge, the new Durango offers 45 safety and security features. I know this is vitally important to families.

A few years ago we rented a Dodge Durango when we took a trip to Arlington, VA to visit my mother and it was a gas guzzler! Now, however, Dodge has reformulated how the Durango uses fuel and drivers can now drive the equivalent of going from Detroit to New York City or San Diego to San Francisco without having to stop for fuel. I don’t know how they did it, but that is very impressive news. Having driven a Durango years ago, I just hope it’s true!

Check out the new 2011 Dodge Durango at www.dodge.com

Photo Credit: CHRYSLER GROUP LLC

It’s a crying shame that as a busy mother and business owner that I don’t have time like I used to to simply delve into books at my leisure. I spend so much time working and mothering that books far too often fall to tenth and eleventh place in my priority spectrum. That said, I want to let you know about two upcoming memoirs that just may move up to sixth or even fifth place.

Michele Norris, the beloved host of All Things Considered, has penned a memoir, The Grace of Silence, about race, but in doing her research she unearthed hidden secrets from her own family. It sounds like a great book. In fact, it has been heavily endorsed by Henry Louis Gates, Gwen Ifill, Tom Brokaw, Richard Wolf and Doris Kearns Goodwin. With their recommendations I know it’s good!

And, Condoleeza Rice is back in the limelight with a book about her family, Extraordinary, Ordinary People: A Memoir of Family. I have been wondering where in the world she has been hiding. Apparently behind a computer screen like the rest of us.